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The Larmor nutation

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Abstract

The classical non-relativistic problem of the motion of a charged particle in an external central force field and a weak uniform magnetic field is revisited to show that the motion of the kinetic angular momentumL = r × p of the particle, in the so-called Larmor approximation, is not a simple precession but is actually a composite motion involving precession as well as a high frequency nutation. The precession-nutation motion ofL is discussed in the Larmor approximation when the Larmor-frame-orbit of the charged particle is an ellipse (or a circle) for the case of the two central forces namely the Coulomb and the Hooke-law-force, which are the only two central forces known to permit closed orbits.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Studies in Physics, University of Mysore, 570 006, Manasagangotri, Mysore, India

    K N Srinivasa Rao & A V Gopala Rao

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  1. K N Srinivasa Rao
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  2. A V Gopala Rao
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Srinivasa Rao, K.N., Gopala Rao, A.V. The Larmor nutation. Pramana - J Phys 48, 775–786 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02845611

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02845611

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